Cardiff City Deaf FC has swept the board to become national champions at an annual tournament for deaf young players, held by the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) on Sunday 4 March in Liverpool.
Cardiff City Deaf FC’s under-16 and under-12 teams were both victorious at the Northern Region of the National Deaf Youth Football Tournament. The under-12s won their group, and went on to take the under 12s title, beating Everton Deaf FC in the final 3 - 2. The South Wales club also clinched the under-16s trophy, defending their title from last year’s tournament. The team beat Derby RSD FC in the final, winning 7 out of their 8 group matches.
The competition is part of the NDCS Deaf Friendly Football Club project, which encourages junior football clubs of all sizes to open up their teams to deaf players.
Cardiff City Deaf FC team coach, Rob Franklin, says, ‘The teams are thrilled to be bringing home two titles to Cardiff. I am so proud of them – it’s fantastic that their skills and determination have been recognised. The players get so much out of being part of tournaments like this one, and the two teams are going from strength to strength’"
Hayley Jarvis, NDCS Inclusive Activities Manager, said, ‘We’d like to congratulate both teams on becoming deaf-football champions
Our tournament is a celebration of the football clubs and coaches who have succeeded in making football accessible to more than 1,000 deaf children, who otherwise wouldn’t be able to enjoy the sport.
As we’ve seen at this weekend’s competition, involving deaf children in football is great for their confidence and social skills. We want to make sure that deaf young people have the same opportunities to take part in sports as any other children and encourage other clubs to take the NDCS Deaf-Friendly Pledge’
The NDCS Deaf Friendly FC Project was set up in 2007 with the help of a grant from the UK’s largest sports charity, the Football Foundation (FF). An additional grant of £129,623 was awarded by the FF, and the Football Association also provided £10,000 towards the project.
NDCS now works with 100 football clubs all over England, including Manchester United, to create regular playing, coaching and socialising opportunities for deaf children and young people.
The tournament took place on Sunday 4 March at the Goals Soccer Centre in Liverpool. Clubs who want to find out about becoming accessible to deaf children, can email football@ndcs.org.uk or visit www.ndcs.org.uk/football for details.
